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Len Ikitau

Top 3 players from the Brumbies v Chiefs Game in Round 14 of the 2023 Super Rugby Season

by Sports Benches May 27, 2023

Damian McKenzie continues to shine this time by leading the Chiefs backline at No.15. His kicking game is excellent as always; he also possesses a lot of all-rounder attributes where he was tested so well while backing them up both in attack & defense. Gotta say that the forwards communicated with him well by giving them a helping hand in return. That way, the Chiefs know where to stop the Brumbies in their tracks, as well as being able to fire up the pressure back at the Brumbies going forward. It’s something how the Chiefs have scored time & time again for the majority before he gets to add these extra conversion points, which is always a nice bonus to have even when looking to kick from these difficult angles.

Next up is Chiefs No.8 Luke Jacobson who also did well right from the beginning. He has such a towering frame and ever mighty physical power to shift things around, especially when not only he’s such a brilliant attacking force but he can also defend as well. You can’t go wrong when he helped his side open the scoring account by himself early as seen when he blew everyone away with his pace & power, while he continues to do the hard yards that helped the Chiefs stay ahead of the Brumbies when it comes to the lead. He is sure enjoying his best rugby right now at 26, having seen the Chiefs just taken home the regular season title as all eyes is on dominating the Finals real soon.

And Len Ikitau has been excellent on the Brumbies midfield at No.12. He was a huge attacking contributor thanks to the winning penalties/advantages being given on occasions. It gave his side some time to get around the Chiefs blocks before the close communication & the executions are there to reflect his input, having scored one TRY & one TRY assist against the runaway leaders. He will no doubt be a huge contributor towards the Brumbies upcoming Finals bid soon. Yes, they may have scored two late tries. But it’s the attacking inconsistency that saw his side struggle to break up a robust Chiefs defensive line mightily with the loss.

May 27, 2023 0 comment

Rugby

Brumbies relieved to see off a threatening & dominant Waratahs side with the win at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

by Sports Benches April 1, 2023

It was an excellent Saturday night of Super Rugby on what has been the match of the round clash between the ACT Brumbies & NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium in Canberra. The first half clearly belongs to the Tahs with an excellent start of three tries, while the Brumbies began to make up lost time where they were not far behind at the break, 14-21. Now the Tahs may have extended their lead a bit further going into the 2nd half, but the game was won by the Brums who continued to close in before they caught them well twice for the top spot & held off in the end, 40-36.

It’s been a heartbreaking end to see the Waratahs fell short, even though they’ve been hanging around on top for the majority. They fired off well with a couple of tries on the board in the first half, despite playing 13 men for a while after losing two players to the naughty chair (yellow card). Although the Tahs did well to stay ahead, but not the all way through the finish line sadly despite adding another 1-2 tries on the 2nd half. Yes, they have shown an excellent shift in both areas but ill-discipline is what really really hurts them when the Tahs were overtaken twice by the Brumbies later on before they ran out of time and it was too late. It’s something they will need to watch out on Saturday week at home v Western Force.

Meanwhile, it’s great to see the Brumbies return to winning ways following a rough time last Friday v Crusaders. Yes, slow starts have really put them under pressure from the beginning, especially when they couldn’t get cash in a number of early winning penalties, which is something they will need to work on over the next few weeks starting with the Reds again on Friday. However, the Brumbies showed excellent fightback that changed everything. They were just 7 points behind at HT before a few fresh faces off the bench & the continued momentum, particularly in the last 30 mins, has helped them thump the Tahs with the win. They’re now hoping to end an unwanted record v Reds in Brisbane for Round 7 on Friday.

April 1, 2023 0 comment

Rugby

2022 Rugby Championship: Australia vs South Africa at Adelaide Oval Match Report

by Admin August 27, 2022

Coming into the game, both sides were coming off a loss and desperately needed a win to keep their title hopes alive. Australia started quickly with Fraser McReight scoring in the opening minute, conversion slotted by Noah Lolesio.

Lolesio then kicked a penalty just a few minutes later to put the hosts 10-0 into the lead. In the 23rd minute, Handré Pollard kicked a penalty of his own to bring South Africa within 7 points.

In the 30th minute, South Africa looked dangerous attacking the Australian line as Ox Nché barrelled his way over from a short distance just to be held over the line by the Aussie defence.

Just before the half-time whistle blew, Springbok scrum-half Faf De Klerk was controversially yellow carded for striking fellow scrum-half Nic White in the head which reduced the away side to 14 men.

Australia started the second half strong as outside centre Len Ikitau made a darting run into the South African 22 before the ball was spun wide to Marika Koroibete who finishes the beautifully worked try.

In the 56th minute, Australia once again scored following a beautiful break from fly-half Noah Lolesio who popped it on to Fraser McReight who scored his second of the game.

The try was converted once more by Lolesio before slotting a penalty also to take the hosts 25-3 into the lead as we entered the final quarter of the match.

It took the Springboks 74 minutes to score their first try of the match as substitute Kwagga Smith ran one in for the visitors.

Aussie number 8 Rob Valetini was yellow carded in the final minute of the match which led to Kwagga Smith scoring his second try of the match, however, it was too little too late for the visitors who lost the match 25-17.

August 27, 2022 0 comment

Rugby

Rugby News, Wallabies regain the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate with back to back wins v reigning World Champions the Springboks

by Sports Benches September 18, 2021

Brilliant first-half performance from both the Wallabies and Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane with a three-point difference at the half-time break 15-12.

Wallabies fired off very well courtesy of a double score from Len Ikitau in the midfield but need to improve their discipline especially when Lachie Swinton was slapped with a yellow card in the 33rd min if they want to leave this battle v Boks undefeated 2-0.

Boks, on the other hand, has won a few penalties where Handre Pollard at fly-half successfully converted a couple of penalty goals into the post but South Africa needs to be patient through the executions & cut the ill-discipline/lost penalties that would ultimately dictate this match.

In the end, the Wallabies had a complete performance when they may have lost the lead at one point just after the break but turned around thanks to a few fresh faces off the bench as well as Taniela Tupou’s all-round play & Marika Koroibete’s double TRY.

And the Boks may have stolen the lead at one point just after the break courtesy of Faf De Klerk’s little cross-kick to Lukhanyo Am but unable to kick on when their attack continues to lack the consistent execution as well as more ill-discipline that prevented them from closing in the Wallabies.

Full-Time: Wallabies 30-17 Springboks

Wallabies ended their two-match meeting this year with the Boks as undefeated alongside the series win which saw them regain the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate as they have two more games left v Los Pumas from Argentina over the next two weeks.

The Springboks have two tough weeks to prepare v All Blacks going into the closing stages of this tournament, they are just five points behind them right now pending on the All Blacks’ result v Argentina later on but should the men in black lose then the Boks are not out of the running just yet.

Watch this space going into the last two weeks of the 2021 Rugby Championship.

September 18, 2021 0 comment

Rugby

Rugby News Australia, 2021 Super Rugby AU WK6: Top 3 players from the Brumbies v Western Force Game

by Sports Benches March 26, 2021

Len Ikitau is outstanding at outside centre with two tries on hand. He credits the Brumbies strong start. Especially when his side did not lose any penalties. Having seen them build a great lead earlier on.

While the Western Force unable to get the ball rolling. His forward pack gave the Brumbies a chance to capitalize their mistakes. Where the communication was superb. Not only Ikitau helped them out defensively. They helped him found a gap to nail down in return. And struck them with two big scores himself on the board.

It goes to show that Ikitau is a brilliant force on the midfield. He showed plenty of excellent physicality. As well as the power contributed going forward. You got the Brumbies side stayed patient. Found a way to make the opposition hard to defend. And Ikitau will always be there to reach out. Before getting ready to activate his attacking ingredients on the run home.

Rob Valetini

He played a great show at blindside flanker for the Brumbies tonight. The reading was there when the Western Force struggled to attack. Especially with the lost penalties taken in the first 40.

And Rob took great care of the Brumbies defense. So much physical pack that blocked the Force from going past his way. He gave the Brumbies a chance to get it done. With plenty of ball carry on hand after the winning penalties. Not even conceded once that put them way ahead.

He never stops working on all areas in the No.6 shirt. Contributed well in the attack as the backline did to help him out. As mentioned earlier on with the defensive contributions. Where Rob helped built some pressure to add patience. Same physicality applied. Before they were able to add so many touchdowns. What an all-round performance from the 22 year old.

Jack McGregor

Well it was not an easy night from the Western Force. They came to Canberra with two recent near wins. But this time it was such a heavy loss. Especially up against one of the successful Super Rugby AU sides. Which is the Brumbies.

One player who stood out though is Jack McGregor at full-back. He had to replace Ireland International Rob Kearney who was out due to injury. Got plenty of pace and power. Not just to clear the ball away via the kick. But can use the physical pack to block a couple of opposition attackers.

Even at one time during the first 40 when he denied Pete Samu a touchdown. It reflects the Force best strengths defensively. Having seen his side turn the ball around on occasions. And gave them a chance to crack in the final 40. But sadly gave plenty of penalties away. In which limits their chances with the ball.

March 26, 2021 0 comment